CN105339761A

CN105339761A - Methods and apparatus for providing travel information

Info

Publication number: CN105339761A
Application number: CN201480034664.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 塞缪尔·马克·布罗德本特; 彼得·安德烈亚斯·吉莱恩; 乔斯·F·圣地亚哥·努内兹; 斯特凡娜·阿罗
Original assignee: TomTom Navigation BV
Current assignee: TomTom International BV; TomTom Navigation BV
Priority date: 2013-04-17
Filing date: 2014-04-17
Publication date: 2016-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 2034-04-17
Also published as: US9964412B2; WO2014170434A1; WO2014170442A1; US20160069695A1; EP2986941A1; US9869563B2; KR102195831B1; WO2014170437A1; US20160097649A1; KR20150143822A; EP2986948A1; CN105339761B; JP6336570B2; US20160076905A1; JP2016517010A; EP2986941B1; WO2014170444A1; EP2986945B1; EP2986945A1

Abstract

A method of providing route attribute information is described, together with a device for performing the same. The method comprises accessing information indicative of a primary route to a destination location determined with respect to a trip database storing information indicative of a personal road network of a user of a mobile device, and an attribute of the primary route. One or more alternate routes to the destination location are determined, together with an attribute of each alternate route. Attribute information associated with at least one alternate route to the destination is output when a location of the mobile device is proximal to a decision point of the personal road network.

Description

For providing the method and apparatus of travel information

Technical field

The present invention relates to mobile device, and preferably relate to navigational system.Illustrative embodiment of the present invention relates to portable navigating device (so-called PND), especially comprises the PND of GPS (GPS) Signal reception and processing capacity.More generally, other embodiment relates to and is configured to perform navigation software to provide route planning functional and preferably also to provide the mobile treating apparatus of any type of navigation functionalities.

Background technology

The portable navigating device (PND) comprising GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) (GNSS) (such as GPS) Signal reception and processing capacity is well-known and is widely used as onboard navigation system or other vehicle navigation system.

In general, modern PND comprise processor, storer (volatibility and non-volatile at least one, and normally both this), and be stored in the map datum in described storer.Processor and storer cooperation to provide the execution environment can setting up operation system of software wherein, and in addition, generally provide one or more extra software programs to allow to the functional of control PND, and provide other function various.

Usually, these devices comprise further: one or more input interface, and it allows user and device alternately and control device; And one or more output interface, user can be relayed information to by means of one or more output interface described.The illustrative example of output interface comprises visual displays and for listening the loudspeaker of output.The illustrative example of input interface comprises: one or more physical button, its On/Off in order to control device operation or further feature (these buttons be not necessarily positioned at described device from it, but can be positioned on bearing circle when described device is built in the vehicles); And microphone, it is for detecting user speech.In particularly preferred layout, output interface display can be configured to touch-sensitive display (by means of touch-sensitive covering or otherwise) to provide user can by means of it by touching the input interface of operating means in addition.

The device of this type usually also will comprise: one or more physical connector interfaces, can by means of one or more physical connector interfaces described by electric power and optionally by data signal transmission to described device and receive electric power from described device and optionally receive data-signal; And optionally, one or more wireless launcher/receiver, it is in order to allow to communicate via cellular telecommunication and other signal and data network (such as, Wi-Fi, Wi-MaxGSM and fellow thereof).

The PND device of this type also comprises gps antenna, receiving package can contain the satellite broadcast signal of position data and can process described satellite broadcast signal subsequently to determine the current location of described device by means of described gps antenna.

PND device also can comprise electronic gyroscope and accelerometer, and its generation can be treated to determine current angular and linear acceleration and and then and to combine the positional information that derives from gps signal and determine the speed of described device and relative displacement and therefore determine the speed of the vehicles wherein installing described device and the signal of relative displacement.Usually, this category feature is provided in the vehicles in navigational system the most at large, but also may be provided in PND device in situation easily.

The effectiveness main manifestations of this type of PND determines the ability of the route between primary importance (normally starting point or current location) and the second place (normally destination) for it.These positions can by the user of device by any one in multiple distinct methods (such as, by postcode, street name and number, previously stored " well-known " destination (such as famous position, municipal position (such as sports ground or swimming pool) or other point of interest), and the destination of favorite or access recently) and input.

Usually, PND is by for enabling from the software of " the best " between map datum zequin and destination-address position or " optimum " route." the best " or " optimum " route determines based on predetermined criterion and is not necessarily the fastest or minimal path.Select to guide the route of driver to can be very complicated along it, and selected route can consider existing, through prediction and through dynamically and/or the traffic of wireless receiving and road information, historical information about road speeds, and driver oneself is for the preference (such as, driver can specify described route should not comprise highway or toll road) of factor determining Model choices.

In addition, described device can constantly monitor road and transportation condition, and proposes or select the route of the remainder changed carrying out route owing to condition changes.Based on various technology (such as, mobile telephone data exchange, fixed cameras, GPS fleet follow the tracks of), real-time traffic surveillance just in order to identify traffic delays and in order to by Information feeds to notice system.

On the instrument panel that the PND of this type can be arranged on the vehicles usually or windshield, but also can be formed the part of the wireless airborne computer of the vehicles or in fact be formed the part of control system of the vehicles self.Guider also can be hand held system (such as, portable digital-assistant (PDA), media player, mobile phone or its fellow)) part, and in these conditions, to calculate with execution path by means of mounting software on such devices and along route as calculated both navigation and expand the normal functionality of described hand held system.

In the context of PND, once calculated route, user just selects desired route as calculated with the list optionally from proposed route alternately with guider.Optionally, user can (such as) by specifying some route, road, position or criterion should be avoided or for being enforceable and get involved or guiding route selection course specific route.The route calculation aspect of PND forms a major function, and is another major function along the navigation of this type of route.

During the navigation along route as calculated, commonly make this type of PND provide visual instructions and/or instruction can be listened user to be directed to along selected route the end of that route, that is, destination.Also PND is commonly made on screen, to show cartographic information during navigating, this type of information is updated termly on screen, make the current location of shown cartographic information indication device, and therefore represent the current location of the vehicles of user or user when device is used for and navigates in the vehicles.

The icon be presented on screen represents current device location usually, and between two parties, is also presented at cartographic information and other map feature of present road near current device location and surrounding road simultaneously.In addition, optionally above shown cartographic information, show navigator information in the status bar of below or a side, the example of navigation information cover be required that taked by user with next distance departed from that is present road, that character departed from is possibly by the other icon representation departing from (such as, turn left or turn right) of hint particular type.Navigation feature is also determined can by means of its content along listened to the instruction of route guidance user, duration and sequential.Can understand, the simple instruction such as " turned left after 100m " needs a large amount of process and analyzes.As previously mentioned, user and the mutual of device are undertaken by touch-screen, or additionally or alternati by be arranged on steering column telepilot, carry out by voice activation or by other appropriate method any.

The other critical function provided by described device is that automatic route in a case where recalculates: user departs from through previous calculated route (unintentionally or intentionally) during navigating; Real-time traffic conditions regulation alternative route by more convenient and described device through enabling with this type of condition of automatically identification suitably; If or user causes described device execution path to recalculate for any reason on one's own initiative.

It is also known that allow to define criterion with user to carry out calculated route; For example, user may prefer to calculate scenic route by described device, maybe may wish to avoid traffic congestion on it to be possible, that be supposed to or the current any road just occurred.Then, device software is by the various route of calculating and more advantageously weigh to comprise on the way and be marked as those routes that (such as) has a highest number point of interest (being called as POI) of beautiful landscape, or uses the foundation through storage information of the transportation condition just occurred in instruction specified link to block up or the level of delay that causes due to it sorts to route as calculated.Other is also possible based on POI and based on the route calculation of transport information and navigation criteria.

Although route calculation and navigation feature for PND overall utility be basic, but likely described device is used for information displaying or " freely driving " purely, the wherein only display cartographic information relevant to current device location, and wherein said device not yet calculates any route and does not currently perform any navigation.When user (such as commuter) known wish along its route of advancing and do not need navigational assistance time, this type of operator scheme is usually applicable.

Observing, may not guider be utilized along being familiar with user that route advances when knowing route.Although user does not need by guiding, it also can not benefit from the information that guider can provide.The object of some embodiments of the present invention provides information to the user of mobile device and do not require that the details of its route is input in mobile device by user.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, provide a kind of mobile device, it comprises:

Processor, it can be coupled to run-length data storehouse communicatedly, the information of the individual road network of the user of run-length data library storage instruction mobile device; And

Storer, it stores the information being indicated to the main route of destination locations and the attribute of route,

Wherein processor is through arranging with operationally execution path attribute module (RAM) with the attribute of one or more alternative route He each alternative route of determining destination locations, and shows the attribute information be associated with at least one route to destination on the display apparatus during decision point in the position of mobile device closest to individual road network.

The decision point of individual's road network can be the position that there is at least one alternative route from it via individual road network to destination locations.The individual road network of user is preferably the network of the road segments previously traveled through by user.

RAM can through arranging with in view of the attribute being recalculated to the main route of destination through reception information.Can be through receiving traffic information with through receiving one or many person in Weather information through reception information.RAM can through arranging to calculate one or more alternative route in view of through reception information.

RAM can through arrange to determine the Attribute Incremental of each alternative route and display properties increment as attribute information.

In an embodiment, mobile device comprises display device, and processor can through arranging to cause display device to show and the attribute of the main route that the road segments of main route is associated and the instruction of the attribute information of one or more alternative route that is associated with the road segments of one or more alternative route corresponding lighted from decision-making.Processor can through arranging to show instruction as attribute data.

RAM can select the one in alternative route as new main route using the Attribute Relative at alternative route through arranging when the attribute be associated with current main route improves to some extent.RAM can select new main route with the Attribute Relative at alternative route through arranging when the improvement of the attribute be associated with current main route is greater than predetermined nargin.RAM can through arrange with by before main route be identified as one in alternative route.RAM can through arranging with the instruction of the Attribute Incremental of the attribute He one or more alternative route that show new main route.

In an embodiment, attribute is Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA).

According to a further aspect in the invention, provide a kind of method providing route attribute information, it comprises:

Access instruction is about the determined information arriving the main route of destination locations and the attribute of main route in run-length data storehouse, and run-length data library storage indicates the information of the individual road network of the user of mobile device;

Determine one or more alternative route of destination locations and the attribute of each alternative route; And

The attribute information be associated with at least one alternative distance to destination is exported when decision point closest to individual road network of the position of mobile device.

One or more alternative route can be via the route of personal network to destination locations.

In an embodiment, method comprises receiving traffic information and in view of the attribute recalculating main route through reception information, and in view of calculating the attribute of each in one or more alternative route through reception information.

In an embodiment, the Attribute Relative that method comprises the one determined when in alternative route improves to some extent in the attribute be associated with current main route and selects alternative route as new main route.When the Attribute Relative of alternative route is greater than predetermined nargin in the improvement of the attribute be associated with current main route, alternative route can be selected as new main route.

In an embodiment, method comprises the Attribute Incremental of the difference between attribute and the attribute be associated with each alternative route determining that instruction is associated with main route.The attribute of main route and the instruction of Attribute Incremental can be shown.Attribute Incremental can be associated with the alternative route with best attributes.

In an embodiment, method comprises the instruction of attribute of the instruction showing main route on the display apparatus, the outlet from main route be associated with at least one decision point and at least one alternative route.

The step of the method in any one in it or in embodiment of the present invention can partly partly be carried out by guider by server.The step of method can perform exclusively on the server, or some steps can to perform and other step anyly can be combined on mobile (such as, navigation) device and performs on the server in any combination, or performs on the mobile device exclusively.Mobile device can be guider, such as, and personal navigation apparatus (PND) or integrated (such as, in the vehicles) device.

Software (such as, computer program) can be used at least in part to be implemented according to any one in method of the present invention.In other words, the present invention is preferably computer-implemented invention, and any one in step described by any one in of the present invention or in embodiment can be carried out under the control of one group of one or more processor.Therefore the present invention expands to a kind of computer program comprising computer-readable instruction, computer-readable instruction can perform or cause any one the method for device (such as, mobile device and/or server) execution according to aspects of the present invention or in embodiment.

The present invention expands to a kind of computer software carrier comprising this type of software accordingly, and it causes described equipment or system to carry out the step of method of the present invention when comprising the system or equipment of data processing component in order to operation in conjunction with described data processing component.This type of computer software carrier can be non-transitory physical storage media (such as rom chip, CDROM or disk), or can be the signal of electronic signal on such as electric wire, the optical signalling such as arriving satellite or radio signal, or its fellow.The invention provides a kind of machine-readable medium containing instruction, instruction causes the method for any one according to aspects of the present invention or in embodiment of machine when being read by machine and operates.

Therefore, in another aspect of this invention, provide computer software, it can operate to cause one or more processor to perform method as described above when the upper execution of device (such as mobile device or server).Computer software can be stored on non-transitory computer-readable media.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Referring now to accompanying drawing, various embodiment of the present invention is described, wherein:

Fig. 1 is schematically illustrating of GPS (GPS);

Fig. 2 for through arrange to provide schematically illustrating of the electronic package of guider;

Fig. 3 is that guider can receive schematically illustrating of the mode of information via radio communication channel;

Fig. 4 shows the preferred embodiment of the software stack on preferred Mobile navigation device;

Fig. 5 is the schematically illustrating of equipment according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 a and 6b is the explanation of the data be stored according to an embodiment of the invention in run-length data storehouse;

Fig. 7 illustrates method according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 is the explanation recommending interface, destination according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 illustrates method according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 illustrates method according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 11 is according to an embodiment of the invention for the display screen of guider;

Figure 12 is according to an embodiment of the invention for the display screen of guider;

Figure 13 is digital map data and the explanation being stored in the data in run-length data storehouse according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 14 is the part of road network and the explanation of transport information according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 15 is the part of road network and the explanation of transport information according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 16 is the explanation of transport information according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 17 is the explanation of list of thing according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 18 is the explanation of the first and second list of things according to an embodiment of the invention; And

Figure 19 illustrates method according to an embodiment of the invention.

Embodiment

Present general specifically describe the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to PND.But should remember, teaching of the present invention is not limited to PND, but be applicable at large be configured to executive software to provide the mobile treating apparatus of any type of (such as) route planning and/or navigation functionalities.As can be seen here, in the context of subject application, guider is intended to the mobile alignment planning and the guider that comprise (unrestrictedly) any type, and no matter that device be embodied as PND, the guider be built in the vehicles, or the mobile phone of execution path planning and navigation software or portable digital-assistant (PDA).

In some embodiments of the invention, guider is for being intended to the mobile device used for commuter and other " regularly do not advance person " (that is, often along those people that one or more route to identical destination is advanced).Therefore, mobile device aims to provide individual traffic and travel information.Individual's traffic and travel information are intended to mean relevant to user.This type of traffic and travel information can be provided when specific destination is unnecessarily input in device by user to user, as will by advance to often go to destination (such as its workplace) user desired by.Mobile device can not provide by voice guide, this is because desired user has known the route that it is intended to advance.But device can provide visual cues about route and relevant traffic and/or travel information above to user.These visual cues easily can see explanation through schematically illustrating with what provide road network to user.In certain embodiments, user can input the destination of multiple destinations that free user preset is put, or the possible destination that confirmation is recommended by mobile device.

Fig. 1 illustrates the example views of the GPS (GPS) that can be used by guider.This type systematic is known and for multiple object.In general, GPS is the navigational system based on satelline radio can determining the continuous position of an infinite number user, speed, time and (in some cases) directional information.Be called as the GPS of NAVSTAR in the past and had in split hair track around multiple satellites that the earth runs.Based on these precise orbit, its position can be relayed to any number receiving element by gps satellite.

Gps system is implemented when the device through distinguishingly equipping to receive gps data starts the radio frequency scanning gps satellite signal.Upon receiving a radio signal from a gps satellite, device just determines the exact position of that satellite via the one in multiple various conventional method.In most of the cases, device by continuation sweep signal until its obtained at least three different satellite-signals (note, usually not only determine position with two signals, but only can determine position with two signals when using other triangulation technique).When implementing geometric triangulation, receiver utilize three known location with determine its oneself relative to the two-dimensional position of satellite.This can carry out in a known way.In addition, obtain the 4th satellite-signal permission receiving trap is calculated by identical geometry and calculates its three-dimensional position in a known way.Can by infinite number user real-time update position and speed data continuously.

As Figure 1 shows, gps system is represented by reference number 100 on the whole.Multiple satellite 120 is arranged in the track around the earth 124.The track of each satellite 120 may not be synchronous with the track of other satellite 120 and in fact may be asynchronous.Gps receiver 140 is shown as and receives spread spectrum GPS satellite signal 160 from various satellite 120.

The atomic clock of spread-spectrum signal 160 utilization clock like precision launched continuously from each satellite 120 and the frequency standard of the pin-point accuracy realized.As the part of its data signal transmission 160, each satellite 120 launches the data stream of that particular satellite 120 of instruction.It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that obtain spread spectrum GPS satellite signal 160 from least three satellites 120 calculates its two-dimensional position for gps receiver device 140 by triangulation to gps receiver device 140 usually.Obtain extra (causing the signal 160 from four satellites 120 altogether) to permit gps receiver device 140 and calculate its three-dimensional position in a known way.

Fig. 2 is the illustrative expression of the electronic package of the guider 200 being according to a preferred embodiment of the invention frame Element format.It should be noted that the block diagram of guider 200 does not comprise all component of guider, but only represent many example components.

Guider 200 is positioned in shell (displaying).Shell comprises the processor 210 being connected to input media 220 and display screen 240.Input media 220 can comprise key board unit, speech input device, touch panel, and/or in order to input other known input media any of information; And display screen 240 can comprise the display screen of any type, such as LCD display.In particularly preferred layout, input media 220 and display screen 240 are integrated into the integrated input and display device that comprise touch pads or touch-screen input, make user only need the part of touch display screen 240 to the one selecting the one in multiple display selection or activate in multiple virtual push button.

Guider can comprise output unit 260, such as, can listen output unit (such as, loudspeaker).Because output unit 260 can produce the audible information of the user for guider 200, so similarly should be understood that input media 240 also can comprise for receiving the microphone and software that input voice command.

In guider 200, processor 210 is operatively connected to input media 220 via connection 225 and through arranging to receive input information via connection 225 from input media 220, and is operatively connected at least one in display screen 240 and output unit 260 via exporting connection 245 with to its output information.In addition, processor 210 is operationally coupled to memory resource 230 via connection 235, and be adapted to further via connection 275 and receive/transmission information from/to I/O (I/O) port 270, wherein I/O port 270 can be connected to the I/O device 280 of guider 200 outside.For example, memory resource 230 comprises volatile memory (such as, random access memory (RAM)) and nonvolatile memory (such as, number storage (such as flash memory)).Exterior I/O device 280 can including but not limited to outside listening device (such as, earphone).Connection to I/O device 280 may further be the wired or wireless connection of taking office what its external device (ED) (such as automobile audio unit), for (such as) hands-free operation and/or voice activation operation, for the connection to earphone or headphone and/or for (such as) connection to mobile phone, wherein mobile phone connects and can set up in order to (such as) data cube computation and/or (such as) to be established to server connection via the Internet or certain other network between guider 200 and the Internet or other network any.

Fig. 2 further illustrates between processor 210 and antenna/receiver 250 and connects via the operability of connection 255, and wherein antenna/receiver 250 can be (such as) gps antenna/receiver.To understand, the antenna of being specified by reference number 250 and receiver combine for purpose of explanation and schematically, but described antenna and receiver can be the assembly being separated location, and (such as) described antenna can be GPS paster antenna or helical antenna.

In addition, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and the electronic package that Fig. 2 shows is powered in a usual manner by power supply (displaying).One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and the difference configuration of the assembly that Fig. 2 shows is considered in the scope of subject application.For example, the assembly shown of Fig. 2 can communicate with one another via wired and/wireless connections and fellow thereof.Therefore, the scope of the guider 200 of subject application comprises portable or handheld navigation device 200.

In addition, the portable or handheld navigation device 200 of Fig. 2 can connect in a known way or " docking " to the vehicles (such as bicycle, motorcycle, automobile or ship).Then, this type of guider 200 can be removed from docking location to use for portable or handheld navigation.

With reference now to Fig. 3, guider 200 can via mobile device (displaying) (such as mobile phone, PDA, and/or there is any device of mobile phone telephony) and set up " movement " with server 302 or communication network is connected, thus set up numeral and connect (numeral such as via known bluetooth technology connects).After this, by its Internet Service Provider, mobile device can be set up network with server 302 and be connected (such as, passing through the Internet).Thus, can guider 200 (its can be when advancing individually and/or advancing in a vehicle movement and be usually mobile) and server 302 between set up the connection of " movement " network to provide the info gateway of " in real time " or at least very " recently ".

Use the Internet (such as WWW) between mobile device (via service provider) and another device (such as server 302), set up network to connect and can carry out in a known way.For example, this can comprise use TCP/IP layered protocol.Mobile device can utilize any number communication standard, such as CDMA, GSM, WAN etc.

Thus, (such as) can be utilized to connect the Internet connection of (mobile phone telephony via in mobile phone or guider 200) and realization via numeral.This is connected, between server 302 and guider 200, sets up Internet connection.For example, this connects by mobile phone or other mobile device and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) that (GPRS connects for the high-speed data for mobile device provided by telecom operators connects; GPRS is the method being connected to the Internet) carry out.

Guider 200 can further via (such as) existing Bluetooth technology in a known way with mobile device and final and the Internet and server 302 complete data cube computation, wherein data protocol can utilize any number standard, such as the data protocol standard of GSRM, GSM standard.

Guider 200 can comprise its oneself mobile phone telephony (including (for example) antenna, or optionally using the inside antenna of guider 200) in guider 200 self.Mobile phone telephony in guider 200 can comprise as specified intraware above, and/or can comprise and can insert card (such as, subscriber identity module (SIM) blocks), the mobile phone telephony necessary together with (such as) and/or antenna.Thus, the mobile phone telephony in guider 200 can be set up network via (such as) the Internet in the mode of the mode being similar to any mobile device similarly and connect between guider 200 and server 302.

Arrange for GPRS phone, bluetooth enables guider can in order to correctly to work together with the mobile phone model, manufacturer etc. of continuous change scope, and for example, the specific setting of model/manufacturer can be stored on guider 200.The renewable data stored for this information.

In figure 3, guider 200 is depicted as via being communicated with server 302 by any one the general communication channel 318 implemented in several difference layout.When setting up the connection via communication channel 318 between server 302 and guider 200, server 302 can communicate with guider 200 (to be noted, this type of connection can be via the data cube computation of mobile device, via the direct connection of personal computer via the Internet, etc.).

Except other assembly that may be illustrated, server 302 also comprises processor 304, and processor 304 is operatively connected to storer 306 and is operatively connected to bulk data storage device 312 further via wired or wireless connection 314.Processor 304 is operatively connected to transmitter 308 and receiver 310 further, information transmitting is received information to guider 200 and from guider 200 via communication channel 318.The signal sending and receive can comprise data, communication and/or other transmitting signal.Can select or design transmitter 308 and receiver 310 according to the communicating requirement in the communication scheme for navigational system 200 and the communication technology.In addition, it should be noted that the function combinable of transmitter 308 and receiver 310 becomes single transceiver.

Server 302 is connected to further (or comprising) mass storage device 312, note, mass storage device 312 can be coupled to server 302 via communication link 314.Mass storage device 312 contains the storage of navigation data and cartographic information, and can again for the device be separated with server 302 maybe can be incorporated in server 302.

Guider 200 is adapted to by communication channel 318 and communicates with server 302, and the processor, storer etc. that comprise as previously described with regard to figure 2 and transmitter 320 and receiver 322 are to send by communication channel 318 and Received signal strength and/or data, note, these devices can further in order to communicate with the device except server 302.In addition, can select or design transmitter 320 and receiver 322 according to the communicating requirement in the communication scheme for navigational system 200 and the communication technology, and the function combinable of transmitter 320 and receiver 322 becomes single transceiver.

The software be stored in server memory 306 provides instruction for processor 304 and allows server 302 that service is provided to guider 200.The service provided by server 302 relates to process from the request of guider 200 and navigation data is transmitted into guider 200 from bulk data storage device 312.Another services package provided by server 302 uses various algorithm to process navigation data and these results calculated are sent to guider 200 containing for applying.

Communication channel 318 generally represents the communications media or path that connect guider 200 and server 302.Both server 302 and guider 200 are all comprised for the transmitter of the transmitting data by communication channel and the receiver for receiving the data of having been launched by communication channel.

Communication channel 318 is not limited to particular communication technology.In addition, communication channel 318 is not limited to the single communication technology; That is, channel 318 can comprise the some communication links using multiple technologies.For example, communication channel 318 can be adapted to the path being provided for telecommunication, optical communication and/or electromagnetic communication etc.Thus, communication channel 318 is including but not limited to the one in following each or combination: circuit, electric conductor (such as electric wire and concentric cable), optical cable, converter, radio frequency (RF) ripple, atmospheric envelope, region of no pressure etc.In addition, for example, communication channel 318 can comprise middle device, such as router, repeater, impact damper, transmitter and receiver.

In an illustrative arrangement, communication channel 318 comprises phone and computer network.In addition, communication channel 318 can adapt to radio communication, such as radio frequency, microwave frequency, infrared communication etc.In addition, communication channel 318 can adapt to satellite communication.

The signal of communication launched by communication channel 318 is including but not limited to such as can be required by the given communication technology or the signal needed.For example, described signal can be adapted to in cellular telecommunication art (such as, time division multiple access (TDMA) (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), CDMA (CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM) etc.).Both digital signal and simulating signal is launched by communication channel 318.As can be required by the communication technology, these signals can be through modulation signal, through coded signal and/or compressed signal.

Server 302 comprises the remote server that can be accessed via wireless channel by guider 200.Server 302 can comprise the webserver be positioned in LAN (Local Area Network) (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Virtual Private Network (VPN) etc.

Server 302 can comprise personal computer (such as, desktop PC or laptop computer), and communication channel 318 can be the cable be connected between personal computer and guider 200.Alternatively, personal computer can be connected between guider 200 and server 302 to set up Internet connection between server 302 and guider 200.Alternatively, mobile phone or other handheld apparatus can be established to the wireless connections of the Internet guider 200 is connected to server 302 via the Internet.

Can download via information and provide information from server 302 navigation device 200, periodically can automatically upgrade described information, or can just upgrade described information after guider 200 is connected to server 302 by user, and/or to carry out more constant or after connecting frequently between server 302 and guider 200 connecting via (such as) wireless mobile coupling arrangement and TCP/IP, described information just can be more dynamical.For many dynamic calculation, the processor 304 in server 302 can process needs in order to dispose major part, but the processor 210 of guider 200 also usually can dispose many process and calculating independent of the connection to server 302.

As above in fig. 2 indicated by, guider 200 comprises processor 210, input media 220 and display screen 240.Input media 220 and display screen 240 are integrated into integrated input and display device realizes information input (via directly input, menu setecting etc.) and information displaying to pass through (such as) touch panel screen.For example, this type of screen can be touch input lcd screen, as one of ordinary skill in the art well-known.In addition, for example, guider 200 also can comprise any additional input device 220 and/or any additional output device 241 (such as, audio frequency input/output device).

Mobile (such as, navigation) device 200 can comprise one or more software module that can perform on application framework, and its function is hereafter describing in more detail.To understand, some embodiments only can comprise the single one in described module, and other embodiment can comprise both or two or more or whole in described module.

One in software module comprises stroke recording module, and it operatively stores the information indicating stroke or the route undertaken by the user of guider 200.Travel information is stored in the run-length data storehouse 510 illustrated by Fig. 5 by stroke recording module, and guider 200 can be coupled to run-length data storehouse 510 communicatedly.Run-length data storehouse 510 can store (being such as stored in the storer 230 of guider 200) in guider 200 this locality, or such as remotely can be accessed via communication channel 318 by guider 200.Run-length data storehouse 510 stores the information indicating the route taked for every one stroke or route by guider 200.In this sense, term " stroke " can be understood to previous journey.Run-length data storehouse 510 is alternately called as the history route database storing the information indicating the route (comprising the route followed by guider 200) undertaken by guider 200.Run-length data storehouse 510 can be the Information Level be associated with map datum, that is, can comprise the information identifying the section traveled through by user in map datum.The demonstrative structure of the data be stored in run-length data storehouse 510 is hereafter described.

Guider 200 also can be coupled to favorite database 520 communicatedly, and it stores the information be associated with one or more position (that is, favorite location) selected by the user of guider 200.Select location can be user-defined point of interest (POI), such as house, workplace, station, school, family, restaurant etc.Favorite location can by user via with guider 200 select alternately and directly or via webpage indirectly (such as remotely) select.User is mutual to select wherein and to store map location as favorite location with favorite database 520 in any manner.Each favorite location is preferably a position, but alternatively can be geographic area.As run-length data storehouse 510, favorite database 520 can store (being such as stored in the storer 230 of guider 200) in guider 200 this locality, or such as remotely can be accessed via communication channel 318 by guider 200.Each favorite location can be stored in the favorite database 520 be associated with one or more identifier (one or many person in the title such as selected by user, icon or color).At least some be stored in the stroke in run-length data storehouse 510 is associated with the favorite location be stored in favorite database 520.For example, the stroke be stored in run-length data storehouse 510 can be associated with the position in favorite database 520, and user leaves or arrive described position from described position in stroke.

Fig. 6 a illustrates the exemplary parts of digital map data 600.Digital map data 600 can make the information of the section of node interconnection be formed by instruction, and wherein represent can navigation network for section.Alternatively, map datum 600 can be formed by the node with relating attribute, and wherein the instruction of at least some attribute has the connection between the node of the predicable of the connection represented between it.Connect the navigated section in instruction real world.The section that can navigate can be road segments, but also can be any can the section of navigation network (such as recirculating network or path network).Each section is associated with the identifier of alphabetical A to the I that such as Fig. 6 a and 6b shows.

Be stored in those the navigated sections previously having been traveled through by user or advanced in the travel information instruction map datum 600 in run-length data storehouse 510.Therefore, in run-length data storehouse 510 representative digit map datum 600 by user advance can navigation area cross-talk collection.Run-length data storehouse 510 can be considered to the personal network of user.That is, run-length data storehouse 510 represent from the navigated section set in digital map data by user use can navigation area cross-talk collection.Run-length data storehouse can be the Information Level for using in conjunction with digital map data, the section previously traveled through by user in wherein said layer identification map datum.Navigation network road network can be can be, but navigation network the navigated section of other network (such as circulating path) can be can comprised.To understand, run-length data storehouse 510 (such as) can be refreshed information in predetermined period, makes run-length data storehouse 510 not store the information of each road segments that identification was once traveled through by user, but represents the behavior of recently advancing of user.

If by about the digital map data comprising those sections, user, along the road segments A illustrated by Fig. 6 a, B, F and G course, so identifies that the information in this path is stored in run-length data storehouse 510 by stroke recording module 410.

In certain embodiments, for the road segments that each travels through, the information be stored in run-length data storehouse 510 comprises one or many person in following person:

Sector marker, such as A;

Temporal information, the travel time of its instruction road segments; And

Previous section information, its indicating user enters the previous section of current session from it.

Temporal information can indicate the one traveled through during it in multiple time slots of section.For example, large I can be divided into 1 week equal or can unequal multiple time slot.In one embodiment, 336 time slots of 30 minutes can be divided into week, but other duration can be used.Temporal information identifiable design travels through the time slot of road segments during it.Table 1 illustrates the demonstrative structure in run-length data storehouse 510.Run-length data storehouse 510 comprises four row.First row " stroke " stores the identifier in order to the every one stroke in identification database 510 uniquely.Be stored in database 510 along with by every one stroke, can assigned identification accord with in order." section " row store the information forming each navigated section of the part of stroke or route in discriminating digit map datum 600.The storage of " previous section " row is identified in user in stroke and enters the information of the section of current session from it, and condition is described section is not the first section forming stroke.The information of the one in multiple time slots of section is traveled through during " time slot " row are stored in it.To note from following instance, for stroke 1, travel through section A and B in time slot 212, time slot 212 may correspond to the 14:00-14:30 Thursday, and during time slot 213, travel through section C, time slot 213 can (such as) relevant to the 14:30-15:00 on Thursday.Time slot identifiable design starts the time traveling through section.When section be the end segments of stroke and section closest to favorite location in database 520 time, " favorite " row identifiable design is from the favorite location of favorite database 520.Because can desired user may not be accurately be parked in favorite location all the time, so when the end of section is in the preset distance of favorite location, end segments can be associated with the favorite location in run-length data storehouse 510.Described distance can be 250m, but can use other distance.To understand, this allows more than one different road segments to be associated with same favorite location, that is, multiple section terminates in the preset distance of favorite location.

Stroke	Section	Previous section	Time slot	Favorite
					1	A	-	212
1	B	A	212
					1	C	B	213	610
2	G	-	163
					2	F	G	163
2	B	F	164
					2	A	B	164	620

Table 1: the demonstrative structure in run-length data storehouse 510

In certain embodiments, run-length data storehouse 510 also can store the traversal information identifying the number of times that each section in run-length data storehouse 510 has been traversed in each time slot.Traversal information can be independent data structure storage in run-length data storehouse 510, thus for the number of times that section described in each the section identification in database 510 is traversed in each time slot.Also will understand, the database structure that this information can be shown from table 1 is derived.This Information Availability, to delete the stroke infrequently carried out, makes run-length data storehouse 510 maintain ALARA Principle size.

Some embodiments of guider 200 comprise prediction module.

In one embodiment, prediction module is through arranging with the destination of operatively predicting user based on the information be stored in run-length data storehouse 510.Prediction module predicts the destination of user with the personal network of the user according to guider 200 through arranging.In other words, prediction module through arrange with based on identify the section of previously having been advanced by user can navigation network and guider current location information and predict destination.Can select among the favorite location be stored in favorite database 520 through prediction destination based on run-length data storehouse 510.Even if user just utilizes guider 200 with " freely driving " pattern, prediction module is the measurable route treating to be followed by user also, as explained.

Method 700 is according to an embodiment of the invention explained in more detail referring now to Fig. 7.Method 700 can be performed by prediction module.Method 700 is the method for the destination of the user of prediction guider 200.

In step 720, method 700 determines current location and one or more time slot of guider 200.As described above, can at least in part from the position determining guider 200 through receiving wireless signal (such as gps signal).Prediction module can from another module receiving position information of guider 200.The time can be determined according to the onboard clock of guider 200 and time and the multiple predetermined time slots used about run-length data storehouse 510 can be compared.Time slot is the time slot that the current time of a day falls in the inner.In certain embodiments, can determine multiple time slot in step 720, it comprises current time slots and one or more contiguous time slot (time slot such as before and after current time slots).Some embodiments can select multiple contiguous time slot, such as, and two time slots before and after current time slots.

In step 720, one or more road segments is selected based on the current location of the guider 200 selected in step 720 and time slot.The same part for digital map data 600 that Fig. 6 b key diagram 6a shows and the position 650 of guider 200.Can understand, guider (position 650 place shown) is currently located on the section I of road network.In an embodiment of the present invention, the destination of user is predicted based on the information be stored in run-length data storehouse 510 (that is, based on the section of the road network previously traveled through by user).The exemplary parts in the run-length data storehouse 510 shown from table 1 can be understood, and user may not be positioned on the section of previously traversal in the time performing step 710 to 720.User can not be positioned on any section, that is, it can be adjacent to a certain bar road (such as in parking lot).Therefore, in order to increase the accuracy of destination prediction, some embodiments of step 720 can select one or more road segments based on current location and predetermined radii.Predetermined radii can be 250m, but will recognize, this is only exemplary.Fig. 6 b illustrates the predetermined radii 660 around the current location 650 of guider 200.In step 720, position-based and time slot and select one or more section from run-length data storehouse 510.Can understand, although in the section I part in run-length data storehouse of not showing in Table 1, section F is in the predetermined radii 660 of current location 650 and therefore selected together with section G.Then, the selected section of traversal determine whether one or more time slot of selecting in step 720 based on current time during.If do not travel through each selected section in selected time slot, so do not select described section when further considering.Therefore, the section that traveled through in the approximately similar time by user based on the current location and selecting of guider 200 of step 720.In step 730, determine whether the result as step 720 have selected any section.If non-selected section (that is, there is not the section traveled through in the similar time in predetermined radii 660), so method moves to step 750.But if having selected one or more section, so method moves to step 740.

In step 740, one or more destination of user is predicted at least in part based on selected section.Based on selected section traversal information and predict one or more destination.As mentioned above, the number of times that information identification respective section has been traveled through by user during corresponding time slot is traveled through.Path search algorithm can utilize the cost information of deriving from traversal information.Cost information based on the inverse of traversal information, can be made the related lower cost of section tool of the larger traversal counting of the association with the more uses of instruction, thus is preferentially selected by route searching.Further discussion through revising value at cost is hereafter provided.Route search can be the searching algorithm (such as, A* route search (as known in technique)) based on Di Jiesitela (Dijkstra), but can use other searching algorithm.Further details through revising cost information is hereafter provided.By search run-length data storehouse 510, prediction module arrives the road segments be associated with the favorite destination from favorite database 512, and it can be used as through prediction destination.Owing to performing search about run-length data storehouse and the section selected in step 720, thus measurable destination with associate route to described destination.Some embodiments of step 740 also can select destination that one or more other possibility is less and route.Can on the display apparatus (such as) with the descending order of determined possibility to the maximum destination of user's display possibility and any possibility less through prediction destination.Alternatively, step 740 can show favorite destination and the instruction associating route.

Turn back to step 730, as mentioned above, if the non-selected section corresponding to current time slots or one or more contiguous time slot in step 720, so in step 750, select one or more section based on current location (but not free restriction).For example, if travel through immediate section at different time, so will not select this time slot in step 720, and in step 750, select this time slot.

In step 760, determine whether the result as step 750 have selected any section.If non-selected section (that is, there is not road segments in predetermined radii 660 in run-length data storehouse 510), so method moves to step 780.But if step 750 have selected one or more section, so method moves to step 770.

In step 770, predict one or more destination of user based on selected section.One or more destination is predicted based on the route search in run-length data storehouse 510 for selected section.Step 770 is as previously for described by step 740.One or more route or favorite destination of being associated with those routes can be shown on the display apparatus to allow user from wherein selecting.

In step 780, if in step 750 non-selected section, so select one or more favorite destination based on the time slot be associated with the section of the destination be adjacent in run-length data storehouse 510.For example, for favorite destination " office ", the section being adjacent to described destination (leading to described destination) can be traveled through in the time slot 8:00-8:30 of MONDAY to FRIDAY.Step 780 determines the expected approach time arriving each the favorite destination favorite database 520 from current location 650.If the time slot be associated with expected approach time corresponds to the time slot of the adjacent segments in run-length data storehouse 510, so in step 780, select favorite destination.To recognize, in certain embodiments, in step 780, allowing error to a certain degree by considering contiguous time slot on the time slot of (such as) expected approach time and either side.Can based on " straight line " route (such as, 60kmh at a predetermined velocity ^-1) and determine expected approach time.In this way, there is no need to calculate via road network from current location to the route of each favorite destination.Step 780 allows user from unfamiliar position and goes to favorite destination.Then, selected favorite destination can be shown on the display apparatus to select for user.Step 780 can not provide the route from run-length data storehouse 510.

To understand, the method 700 that Fig. 7 shows can provide based on run-length data storehouse 510 and favorite database 520 recommends destination and the route being provided to those destinations for some destinations.Therefore, method 700 is particularly suitable for the destination of recommend regular use based on the previous behavior of the user being such as characterized as the information indicating previous run or the route be stored in run-length data storehouse 510.

Fig. 8 illustrates and recommends interface, destination 800 according to an embodiment of the invention.Interface 800 provides the instruction of the destination (being preferably the one in the position be stored in favorite database 520) of recommending according to method as described above to user.Interface 800 comprises one or many person in following each: recommend the title 810 of destination, such as indicate the text string of street address (but its can be with through storing the words that favorite is associated, such as " house "); The icon 820 be associated with destination and refuse 830 or accept the control piece that 840 recommend destination for user.Some embodiments can comprise background image 850 further, and background image 850 can be the expression of the part of the digital map data closest to the position of recommending destination.

Embodiments of the invention are through arranging with the route determining destination, and the section that user had previously advanced is had a preference for or preferentially selected to described route thereon.As mentioned above, digital map data represents that use road segments is to make the road network of node interconnection.Each section can have one or more relating attribute, and it indicates the cost traveling through described section separately according to individual features.For example, the first attribute can indicate the cost of the desired speed of traversal section, and the second attribute can indicate the cost of the expectation fuel consumption of traversal section.Routing algorithm selects the section for being included in route based on its relevant cost and one or more route criterion when determining the route between original position and destination locations.

Embodiments of the invention determine based on run-length data storehouse 510 or revise the cost of one or more section at least in part.According to the existence of road segments in run-length data storehouse 510 and/or road segments whether formed determined by prediction module upgrade or revise the cost nature of at least one road segments in digital map data through predicting the part of route.

For example, in digital map data, there are three road segments S ₁, S ₂, S ₃; Each road segments has relevant cost attribute.Value at cost in digital map data can be the existing value at cost of the characteristic (such as, gait of march or fuel consumption) being used to indicate road segments, or can be new to introduce.Under the situation of the new value at cost introduced, the cost be associated with each road segments in digital map data can be set to identical value at first, makes routing algorithm preferentially not select road segments based on described value at cost.

Exemplary run-length data storehouse 510 is not containing section S ₁entry, its indicating user is advanced without road segments thus or to be advanced without road segments thus at least recently.But run-length data storehouse 510 is containing road segments S ₂and S ₃entry, and therefore upgrade the section S in digital map data ₂and S ₃value at cost to reflect its existence in run-length data storehouse 510.Routing algorithm is caused preferentially to select to have the section of lower cost.For example, under the situation that other route criterions all for section are equal, cause routing algorithm relative to S ₁preferentially select section S ₂and S ₃.To understand, routing algorithm still can make the determination of route based on one or more other factors (such as gait of march, time, fuel consumption etc.) of section.Therefore, for specific starting point position and destination locations, still can relative to S ₂preferentially select section S ₃.But in the conceived case, routing algorithm has a preference for the section be included in run-length data storehouse 510.In addition, when predicting route (such as step 740 and 770 in) in the figure 7 as described above like that, can revise further and be formed through predicting the digital map data that the section of route is associated, to increase the trend that routing algorithm selects those sections.For example, if section S ₃form the part through predicted path, so preferably revise cost further, making will relative to S when supposing that all other factorses are equal ₂preferentially select section S ₃.

Also will understand, also can revise the cost information of the road segments in map datum based on historical information.In one embodiment, at least some in the section in map datum can join with the historical speed curvilinear correlation of the average gait of march in described road segments during instruction multiple time period.For example, historical speed curve can for the average velocity during each defined the every day in a week in the interval of 5 minutes and those intervals.Can according to detection data determination historical speed curve.Historical speed curve can be reference curve, but is alternately the one in multiple canonical reference curve.In other words, historical speed Curves based on detection data can be relevant to that specified link section.Therefore, scalar also can be used together with historical speed curve to adjust historical speed curve in proportion according to the data measured for specified link section.One or more historical speed curve and scalar can be stored discretely with map datum and transmit, such as, be stored in the storer of guider.

The real time data of road segments can be obtained from one or more source (such as GPS detection data, GSM detection data and news data).Based on obtained real time data and the historical speed that suitably adjusts in proportion, when real time data is different from the historical speed information adjusted in proportion, identifiable design traffic events.In response to identification traffic events, traffic message can be sent to the guider in the preset range of the position be associated with traffic events.The guider in the second larger position range can be sent to by being considered to important traffic message (such as to the road of specific grade or traffic message that more advanced road is relevant).In this way, the cost information be associated with the road segments in map datum can be revised and enter speed to indicate lower rows.

Referring now to Fig. 9, method 900 is according to an embodiment of the invention described in more detail.Can by the route attribute module executing method 900 of device 200.

In step 910, like that as described above revise based on run-length data storehouse 510 one or more value at cost of being associated with digital map data.Therefore, in one embodiment, value at cost is revised, to be preferentially partial to road segments that user previously traveled through to select routing algorithm or to make routing algorithm be partial to user the road segments previously traveled through based on the existence of road segments in run-length data storehouse 510.Similarly, in certain embodiments, expansion value at cost amendment be partial to further through prediction route in section to select routing algorithm or make routing algorithm be partial to through prediction route in section, as described above.

In step 920, calculate the route between the current location of guider 200 and destination locations.Destination locations can be the favorite location be stored in favorite database 520.The determination of route be based on be associated with the road segments determined in step 910 through revising value at cost.In some embodiments of step 920, also only can calculate the route of destination locations based on digital map data (that is, not through amendment value at cost).

In step 930 (it depends on that the previous routes of the value at cost using unmodified calculates is optional), compare the attribute be associated with each in two lines.Attribute can be the traveling time of destination.For example, in step 930, the time spent by each arrival destination in two lines is compared.

In step 940, the one based on the comparison performed in step 930 in selection schemer.In step 940, can will be default value according to the route selection determined through amendment numerical map cost.But, if the attribute of the modified route of cost (such as spent time) is greater than unmodified cost exceed predetermined nargin, the numerical map cost according to original or unmodified so can be selected and the route determined.Nargin can be large 25% or 50%, but will recognize, these nargin are only exemplary.Therefore, if the route only determined based on digital map data arrives fast more than 50% (that is, shorter in time) in destination in one embodiment, the route only determined based on digital map data is so selected.Otherwise, in step 940, select the route determined based on the value at cost revised according to run-length data storehouse 510.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide the instruction of the attribute of route, such as, arrive the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) of destination locations.To recognize, embodiments of the invention can be applied to other attribute of route, such as fuel consumption.In an embodiment of the present invention, provide the ETA value of at least one route determined like that as described above, described route preferentially comprises the section in run-length data storehouse 510, and more preferentially comprises those sections in prediction route in certain embodiments.ETA value based on the expectation gait of march of the section of formation route or traveling time, and can be revised according to the information received by guider 200 (such as traffic and/or Weather information).The expectation gait of march of one or more road segments be included in route can be caused to reduce through reception information or expect that traveling time increases.

Embodiments of the invention recalculate ETA in response to through receiving information (such as traffic and/or Weather information) via at least one alternative route based on run-length data storehouse 510.In response to through receiving information, route can be changed constantly to follow the route with the shortest ETA.When user position and therefore guider 200 position arrive or closest to decision point time, show ETA information together with the ETA information be associated with at least one alternative route.Decision point is certain point along route, and at described some place, one or more alternative route to destination can shape via " network of advancing " of the road segments of numerical map.Network of advancing comprises the road segments of personal network and is stored in road segments in run-length data storehouse 510, and is formed into any road segments (wherein in the situation do not determined by prediction module through prediction route of destination) of main route as calculated of destination.In other words, based on the previous run undertaken by user, network of advancing thinks that user will advance to the road segments subset of the numerical map of destination along it for (such as).For example, decision point is a certain abutment, the first road wherein lighted from described joint is formed into the part of the current route of the destination of advancing network, but the second road wherein lighted from described joint forms the part of the alternative route to destination using network of advancing.ETA packets of information is expected to be the expectation residue duration of time and the route arriving destination containing user.

Referring now to Figure 10, method is according to an embodiment of the invention described.Described method can be performed by route attribute module.

In step 1010, select your destination.Destination can be received from user by guider 200, and the title of destination or other details are input in guider 200 by such as user.User can select your destination among multiple destination.Multiple destination can be the destination be stored in favorite database 520.In one embodiment, provide the communication identifier list retrieved from favorite database 520 to user, such as, appropriate area by pressing display device selects institute to want destination from described communication identifier list.But in other embodiments, destination can be the destination of being predicted by guider 200, as described previously.Destination may must be selected by guider 200 is automatic.In one embodiment, automatically can recommend to user or destination is provided and the correct confirmation in the described destination of instruction can be received from user.

In step 1020, the main route of selected destination is calculated.Main route can be calculated based on run-length data storehouse 510 and/or usage forecastings module predicts route as described by previous references Fig. 9.

In step 1030, determine that user arrives the ETA of destination when following the main route determined in step 1020.ETA can only based on the attribute (gait of march be such as associated with road segments) of digital map data, or also can comprise the data (so-called historical data) of the velocity correlation of previously having advanced along those road segments with one or more user.In addition, ETA can based on the information (such as traffic and/or Weather information) by guider 200 previous receipt, and it can affect the gait of march of the road segments forming route.In step 1030, ETA can be shown in display device 240.ETA can be the expected approach time or route duration that arrive destination.The ETA of current route can be called as main route ETA.

Figure 11 illustrates the embodiment of the display screen showing ETA.Display screen is through arranging provide the instruction of route to be followed and comprise the ETA information 1110 of expected approach time 1110.Can understand, the display screen indicating user that Figure 11 shows should continue to go ahead towards indicated expected approach time 1110, that is, continue to follow present road section.But, can understand, 1120 indicate left-hand rotation on the horizon, as explained by information correlation time.Therefore, user is just close to decision point, and at described decision point place, user faces the decision-making turned to about carrying out indicating.In other words, main route continues to go ahead, but there is the secondary route to destination via left-hand rotation on the horizon, and wherein main route and secondary route intersect at decision point place.Route via left-hand rotation is secondary route, this is because it is not formed into the current optimal route (that is, having the shortest ETA) of destination.Therefore, secondary route is the alternative route to destination.

In step 1040, method determines whether to arrive the decision point on route or the decision point on route whether closest to the current location of guider 200.For example, can determine that the current location of guider is whether in the preset distance (such as 500m) of decision point.As mentioned above, decision point is certain point in current route, at described some place, is present in multiple distributor road of advancing in network and can be used for arriving destination.

Once guider 200 is in or closest to decision point, method just moves to step 1050.In step 1050, determine the ETA arriving destination via alternative route enterable at decision point place.Described ETA can be called as secondary route ETA.Expectation secondary route ETA will be greater than main route ETA.To note, necessarily not calculate secondary route ETA in response to device closest to decision point.Secondary route ETA may be stored in the storer of guider 200, such as, as the result of route calculation step 1020 or responsively in the result that the subsequent route through receiving traffic and/or Weather information recalculates.

In step 1060, in step 1060 produce instruction main route ETA and secondary route ETA between mistiming ETA increment 1120 and in display device 240, show ETA increment 1120, as Figure 11 show.In some cases, such as, owing to the transportation condition by the change indicated through receiving traffic information, the main route first selected can have longer ETA compared to secondary route.In such cases, main route and secondary route can be put upside down, that is, indicating user follows the secondary route with shorter ETA.In this situation, the difference of the longer route represented by previous main route is followed in the instruction of ETA increment.The is-symbol 1130 on ETA increment 1120 side in fig. 11, symbol 1130 indicates speed video camera to be present on secondary route.To recognize, this can omit from embodiments of the invention.Although do not show in fig. 11, the display device of Figure 11 can show the position of traffic jam and associated delay or other similar travel information in addition.

Can understand, periodically to user upgrade the information of attribute (such as ETA) about route to destination along main route close to during decision point user with reference to the embodiments of the invention described by Figure 10 and 11.Therefore, user can determine in view of the information of difference correlation connection between main route and secondary route the secondary route continuing or follow destination on current main route.Although more than describe and relate to main route and secondary route, one or more alternative route that can exist from decision point to destination will be recognized.

Some embodiments of the present invention comprise driving views module, and it is through arranging with the representing of road network operatively shown in display device 240 based on digital map data.Drive views module and produce schematically showing of the road network in the visual field of user through arranging with the position based on guider 200.Described expression is provided in the instruction of the road topology in the visual field of user to user.In particular, drive views module to represent with the simplified schematic being provided in the road network in the preset range of current location through arranging.In certain embodiments, preset range be based on corresponding to current location in category of roads or type.In particular, the road that some embodiments of the present invention are present in the road in run-length data storehouse 510 through layout with resolution and exist only in digital map data, as explained.

Show in Figure 12 and provide the explanation of expression on the display apparatus by driving views module.As mentioned above, digital map data comprises the information of the layout of the road network in certain geographic area of instruction, and run-length data storehouse 510 stores the information indicating the road network subset (that is, the personal network of the user of guider 200 as identified from run-length data storehouse 510) of previously having been advanced by the user of guider 200.Drive views module through arranging to differentiate the road be present in run-length data storehouse 510 in display device 214.With the road that representation is differentiated the road in run-length data storehouse 510 and existed only in digital map data.

Figure 13 illustrates the part of digital map data and the corresponding part in run-length data storehouse 510.The part of digital map data comprises the information about road 1310 to 1360, and run-length data storehouse 510 comprises the information of instruction road 1310 and 1340 (as differentiated with dotted line), namely, at least in the history in run-length data storehouse 510, user had previously only once driven along road 1310 and 1340 and had not driven along (such as) road segments 1330.To understand, road segments 1310,1340 is included in digital map data and run-length data storehouse 510, and road segments 1330 is only included in digital map data.

Refer again to Figure 12, cause display device 240 to show and drive view 1200, drive schematically illustrating up to the road in the preset range of the current location from guider 200 in the visual field that view 1200 is included in user.Current location 1210 is identified as the position at the place of bottom centre of display device 240.User location thereon or current present road section of just advancing on it through arranging upwards to project away from current location 1210, and to be schematically illustrated as at the bottom place of display device 240 away from the straight line that the position 1210 of user extends to the upper area 1220 of display device 240.The part of the road segments between current location 1210 and upper area 1220 is the part in preset range.In an exemplary embodiment, preset range is 800m, but will recognize that this can be appropriately selected.In one embodiment, preset range can be the first scope (such as 800m) for the road (such as main roads) of one or more predetermine class or type, or can be the second scope (such as 400m) for the road of one or more predetermine class corresponding to secondary road.Can correspondingly range of choice the first scope be made to be greater than the second scope.To note, present road section is schematically illustrated as straight line.Straight line extends to local horizon from the initial point of instruction current location.By contrast, the digital map data of instruction present road section can comprise the information of the curvature of instruction road segments, that is, road segments can not be straight geographically.

Drive the expression that view 1200 comprises the road that can enter from present road section via outlet (such as abutment) further.Road is represented as and becomes 90 degree with present road section and arrange, but will recognize, this may not be the angle of the crossing of real world road network.In addition, will note, road is represented as the one in two types according to run-length data storehouse 510 on figure.The road segments do not identified in run-length data storehouse 510 being adjacent to present road section is indicated with " ash is depending on (greyed-out) " style, such as road 1230.Ash depending in order to indicate it previously not advance along this road to user, that is, does not list corresponding road segments in run-length data storehouse 510.To understand, user previously may along road advance and this use of recording (such as) wipe from run-length data storehouse 510 at the administration period of run-length data storehouse 510 size.The mode that highlighted is presented at the indicating user of identification in run-length data storehouse 510 previously to the road segments of the use of road, such as road 1240.Highlight to indicate road will be familiar with by user.Refer again to and illustrate and comprise Figure 13 of the part of the digital map data of road segments 1310 to 1360, although road segments is shown as with 90 degree and intersects, will recognize this only for illustration of.When advancing along road segments 1310, contiguous road segments 1340 is highlighted in driving view in the mode of the road 1240 in Figure 12, and (such as) road 1320 is indicated as ash and looks.To note from Figure 12, the present road extended forward from current location is highlighted.But, will understand, when user previously only show advance along the part of the road being illustrated in front in scope on the display apparatus, present road can partly be looked by ash.

Embodiments of the invention relate to provides relevant or at least potential relevant transport information.In some embodiments of the invention, the transport information had with user-dependent possibility is provided.In some embodiments of the invention, provide may with user-dependent transport information.Embodiments of the invention relate to provides traffic information list to user.

Embodiments of the invention comprise transport information module, and it is through arranging operatively to provide transport information to user.In one embodiment, transport information module determine based on run-length data storehouse 510 at least potentially with user-dependent transport information.As explained above, run-length data storehouse 510 stores the road segments information indicating and at least previously traveled through by user within the life-span or maintenance period in run-length data storehouse 510.Therefore, the individual road network of the user of the content representation guider 200 in run-length data storehouse 510.

Transport information module receives the transport information be associated with digital map data.First transport information can (such as) connect via wireless (such as, GPRS) and received by another module of guider 200 and be provided to transport information module.Transport information can include but not limited to the information about the traffic jam caused by accident, road or Lane Closed, road construction, weather condition etc. or delay.Transport information comprises the traffic events be associated with the relevant position in digital map data.The position be associated with traffic events may correspond to one or more road segments in digital map data.The transport information item that transport information module is associated by the road segments determined be present in run-length data storehouse 510 and operatively screening through receiving traffic information.Transport information module is through arranging to filter out the traffic events be not associated with the personal network be stored in run-length data storehouse 510.In other words, if traffic events is associated with the road segments do not indicated in run-length data storehouse, so transport information module is not in response to described traffic events.But if traffic events is associated with the road segments in run-length data storehouse 510, so transport information module utilizes further or processes described traffic events.Therefore, the traffic events be associated with the individual road network of user is only utilized.Transport information module can screen transport information further based on one or many person in following each: driving time or with the distance of current location or the air line distance with current location.Hereinafter, after being screened by transport information module, be defined as potential relevant traffic events and be called as probability traffic events.

In certain embodiments, transport information module is through arranging to produce without occlusion event based on run-length data storehouse 510.Term " without blocking " is in a broad sense in order to mean not having traffic events and weather events for containing by " without event ".The traffic events be associated with the road segments in run-length data storehouse 510 or position is there is not without occlusion event instruction.Transport information module can only such as, be determined without occlusion event for the road (that is, main roads, highway, highway etc.) of one or more predetermine class, to avoid producing too much without occlusion event.Other details without occlusion event is hereafter provided.

Transport information module can determine probability traffic events and without one in occlusion event or both probable values.Probable value indicating user is in fact along the probability that the road segments blocked with corresponding probability or be associated without occlusion event is advanced.Probable value can indicating user experience traffic events or without occlusion event.Probability can based on one or many person in following each: event whether be formed into destination (destination of such as predicting like that as described above) current route part road segments on; The direction of the road segments of generation event; Distance between the current location of guider 200 and event; Traveling time between current location and event.

In one embodiment of the invention, determine that the method for probability comprises and determine current time slots (that is, current time falls within time slot wherein), it can be calculated as:

Wherein 3660 is the number of seconds in 1 hour, and 24 is the hourage in 1 day, and 7 is the number of days in 1 week, and 1800 is the number of seconds in half an hour, and % is modulus operator.Therefore, variable time slot is cycle half an hour in 1 week.

Method comprises the minor increment determining the node be associated with event further.Described distance can be current location and distance between the nearest node (such as at the node of the end of the road segments of the event of generation) be associated with event.Distance can be straight line.

The mistiming (timediff) of the time needed for user's arrival event of instruction guider 200 can be calculated.The described time can be calculated based on minor increment and current time slots.

Then, can based on the mistiming calculating probability.In one embodiment, probability P can be calculated as:

P = (\frac{336 - t i m e d i f f}{336}) * 100

Wherein 336 is the timeslot number in 1 week, will recognize, described timeslot number alterable.Therefore, the probability closer to the event of the position of user is larger.By (such as) event whether in the road segments of part forming current route and/or the direction (that is, north orientation track) of the road segments of the event of generation whether to advance with user current directional correlation and revise probable value further.

Figure 14 illustrates the part of the personal network determined from run-length data storehouse 510.The position of guider is indicated as 1700 about the first to the three probability blocking 1710,1720,1730 be present on the navigated section that is included in personal network.First blocking 1710 and the second blocking 1720 have respective associated probability, and described probability is greater than 0 and therefore represents the probability blocking that user may meet with.But, although the 3rd probability blocking formed personal network navigated section on and in the preset range of current location 1700, there is owing to the traffic events that (such as) is relevant to road segments has the direct of travel contrary with the current direct of travel of user the probability of 0%.

Figure 15 illustrates and produces the region of multiple personal network without occlusion event for it, describedly multiplely to indicate with reference number 1810 without the only one in occlusion event.Each is confirmed as relevant to the road in its title with numeral without occlusion event, therefore the road of predetermine class or type is at least, road segments is greater than predetermined length (such as 600m), road is in the preset range 1820 (such as 50km) of current location, as indicated, and road is less than predetermined traveling time (such as 35 minutes) from current location.

In some embodiments of the invention, transport information module is through arranging to determine possibility traffic events.Possible traffic events is can but that with personal network be not correlated with traffic events relevant to user, that is, may block relevant to the navigated section not forming the part of the personal network be stored in run-length data storehouse 510 in digital map data.Possible traffic events can be confirmed as relevant to the road segments in the preset distance of the current location of guider 200 or position.The 50km of current location that preset distance can be (such as) and can be the haversine distance (straight line or via road network) of current location.In addition, in some embodiments of the invention, possible traffic events can be confirmed as and the predetermined angular about the relevant predetermined direction of the one or both in line direction before the road segments be associated with traffic events or working direction and the working direction front at guider.

With reference to Figure 16, the current location of guider 200 is indicated as 1910 and the current working direction of guider 200 is indicated as 1911.Current working direction 1911 is the direct of travel of guider 200.(that is, determining based on the direct of travel in that moment) working direction can be determined immediately.But, in certain embodiments, direct of travel can be determined based on the average direct of travel during the predetermined amount of time before current time, make direct of travel not by the excessive influence of (such as) Road turnings (it can affect the direction determined immediately).Determine the predetermined sector 1920 in current direct of travel 1911 front.Predetermined sector 1920 can present certain angle (such as, ± 60 °) at the either side in current direction 1911, but will recognize and can select other angle.The traffic events of delocalization in predetermined sector 1920 (such as traffic events 1925) is not considered to may traffic events.The direction of each traffic events 1930 can be considered in certain embodiments.The direction of traffic events is determined in direction the road segments that can be associated with traffic events from road segments and possibly.When being associated with a certain track of road segments, traffic events can be unidirectional, and when betiding in two tracks or general road segments, other traffic events can be two-way.The direction of traffic events is indicated as 1930.If direction 1930 is (by being designated as 1935 particularly) in the predetermined angular of current direct of travel, so traffic events can be possibility traffic events.For example, traffic events 1940 is not possible traffic events, this is because the direction of traffic events 1940 is not in the predetermined angular of current direct of travel 1935,1920.Predetermined angular can be identical with for the predetermined angular of predetermined sector 1920 or present different angles.

Figure 17 illustrates list of thing 2000 according to an embodiment of the invention.List of thing 2000 is produced by transport information module and is presented in display device 240.List of thing 2000 comprises multiple event information item 2010 or event items.List of thing 2000 can containing a predetermined maximum number event items.The ordering that event information item can be determined according to embodiments of the invention is listed.In this ordering, towards the event items that the top display of list 2000 is the highest with user's degree of correlation.Each 2010 comprises the instruction of the road segments that described item is employed, the instruction of the type of event and the instruction of time delay that is associated with event.The instruction of event type can be the figure instruction selected among multiple event type.For example, the event at the head place of list 1900 in fig. 20 indicates event to be the heavy traffic that tool postpones for related 28 minutes to graphically, and second event is the event of a type of the delay with 14 minutes.The color that figure can be selected to indicate carrys out the seriousness of indication lag.

List of thing 2000 can by transport information module based on probability traffic events as described above, without occlusion event and may traffic events and determining.In one embodiment, probability traffic events and have precedence over without occlusion event may occlusion event.That is, only when list of thing 2000 does not show possibility traffic events by probability traffic events or when occupying completely without occlusion event.In addition, when list of thing 2000 comprises all three events, probability event may listed above traffic events and without occlusion event.Can arrange in alphabetical order based on road name or numbering according to comprising, seriousness, with the criterion of the distance of current location and event 2010 is classified.But, in one embodiment, based on according to embodiments of the invention determined relevance score, event is classified.

In certain embodiments, transport information module is through arranging to determine each probability traffic events and the degree of correlation without occlusion event.The degree of correlation can based at least one in following each: to the distance of traffic events, the delay that caused by traffic events (namely, seriousness), the trend of traffic events (namely, whether the delay caused by event increases and/or reduces) and prediction duration (that is, to traffic events by the prediction when terminated) of traffic events.

In one embodiment of the invention, the degree of correlation of each traffic events is determined according to following formula:

R = P \times (\frac{D - D i}{c})

Wherein R is relevance score, P is the probability (it can be the value between 0 and 1) be associated with traffic events like that as described above, D is the delay be associated with traffic events, Di is the distance of current location and traffic events and c is constant (it is 7 in one embodiment, but will recognize can select other value).

In one embodiment, the degree of correlation of possible traffic events is confirmed as:

R = (\frac{D - D i}{c})

Wherein Di is that current location deducts 20km but is not less than the distance of 0 distance.

In certain embodiments, presented event list 2000 on the specific screen in display device 240 or GUI, that is, list of thing occupies in fact whole display device 240.In certain embodiments, short list of thing can be shown in conjunction with the expression of the road network of the position closest to guider 200 (expression that such as Figure 12 shows).The embodiment of short list of thing 2100 is shown in Figure 18.Short list of thing 2100 is shown on list of thing 2000 side shown at Figure 17.But, will recognize, list of thing 2000 and short list of thing 2100 not on the display apparatus together with display and list of thing 2000 and short list of thing 2100 are shown as the side be in each other in figure 18 for explanatory purposes.Short list of thing 2100 comprises the event items selected from the event items length or complete event list.Therefore, method step comprises and selects one or more from complete event list 2000 according to an embodiment of the invention.Selected item can be the first predetermined number item from complete event list 2000.First predetermined number can be from the highest item of the degree of correlation of complete list of thing 2000, such as first and second.But, when guider 200 position complete event list first, in the preset distance of event that ranks first time, the first event can be omitted from short list of thing 2100.Preset distance can be 800m, but will understand, and can use other distance.In this situation, selection second and the 3rd event items are to be included in short list of thing 2100.To understand, two or more event items can be shown in short list of thing, but number be less than the number in complete event list 2000.In addition, can understand from Figure 15, the order of the event items in short list of thing 2100 is contrary with the order of the event items in complete event list 2000.Exchange first and second event items (itself being second and Section 3 in complete event list 2000) of selection from complete event list 2000 to form short list of thing 2100.When only probability traffic item in complete event list, be rendered as event items and residual term is without occlusion event, instruction can be shown in short list of thing 2100 on any road all without the item blocked.

Figure 19 illustrates according to an embodiment of the invention for providing the method 2200 of transport information.Described method can be performed by transport information module.Provide the details of the step forming described method above.Method 2200 comprises the step 2210 of receiving traffic information.Transport information can wirelessly be received from server via data cube computation by guider (such as) or receive with the forms of broadcasting (such as, via FM or digital radio signals).In step 2220, determine any probability traffic events based on through receiving traffic information and run-length data storehouse 510.In step 2230, determine any without occlusion event.In step 2240, determine probability traffic events and the probable value without the event that blocks the traffic.In step 2250, based on determining any possibility traffic events through receiving traffic information and digital map data.In step 2260, determine the degree of correlation of event.In step 2270, produce list of thing 2200, and in step 2280, produce short list of thing 2000 to show in display device 240.

One exemplary embodiment and the general introduction to the software that exemplary device operates according to an embodiment of the invention will be described now.The principal character of device is as follows:

● through design for assistance commuter; Device itself is not guider, this is because it does not provide by key instruction; Be intended to provide individual traffic and travel information when selecting favorite and traffic near providing when not inputting destination (that is, freely driving)

● use individual main route and alternative route to arrive ETA and the ETA increment of favorite destination

● from the one prediction destination the favorite of your input

● determine individual relevant traffic

● permanent movable stop; Click and use solution

● the ecosystem; For safeguarding portal website and/or the mobile applications of (such as, add and delete) favorite; Favorite for you checks Current traffic; Registration

● speed video camera warning and reporting

● there are the 2.4 " color/graphicses in 7 capacitive touch regions

● for server communication to obtain the GPRS device of online service (such as, traffic, speed video camera, weather, OTA software upgrading)

● for the GPRS device of determining device position

● in order to support the baby battery of minimum requirement (such as, GPRS operation, antitheft use-case and minimum operation time) when not powering

● the On/Off on the device back side/reset hard button

● be suitable for the basic loudspeaker of tone and non-voice

● antitheft feature, such as, from the pin protection (may only activate for first after unlocking and locking) portal website's remote lock and unblock, device

Favorite database

Favorite database contains one or more favorite (such as, POI (such as house, workplace, station, school, family, restaurant etc.)) up to the position of a maximum number favorite and identifier (such as title, icon and/or and color (editing by user)).Therefore, each favorite will be some position usually.User by selecting certain position or selecting certain position based on the current location of device and add favorite to database on numerical map.

On device, can add or use portal website to add favorite.

Each favorite can have association area, such as, and the circle that the radius centered by the position of favorite is 250m.If add new favorite in the district of existing favorite, so inquire whether user changes the position of existing favorite.

When using portal website, the favorite of one or more (previously inputting) can be selected, and show size through adjustment with the current traffic information represented together with being superimposed upon on map of the map containing all selected favorites.This permission user checked the Current traffic situation of advancing between special favorite before starting route.

Favorite database can be stored on device or be stored on the remote server that is associated with the identifier of device.

Run-length data storehouse

Run-length data storehouse is associated with traveling time and stores the route of being advanced by device/user.Run-length data storehouse is essentially individual's (or study) network, and it is the network subset represented by numerical map.

Route is stored about numerical map; Numerical map comprises multiple sections of the network representing the section that can navigate.Therefore, each route comprises multiple section, and wherein for each section of route, stores following data:

● sector marker

● time slot mark symbol (records and when occurs along advancing of section; Use the time slot (that is, 336 time slots) of 30 minutes of the time period in 1 week of leap in a preferred embodiment, but greater or lesser time slot can be used as required)

● the sector marker (that is, recognition device/user is transitioned into the section of current session from it) of previous section

Therefore, store route in some way, make the route of (such as) morning from house to workplace be stored as the route that the route with evening from workplace to house is separated.

Run-length data storehouse also stores the counting of the number of times traveling through section in given time slot.This counting keeps up-to-date (and considering limited available memory) in order to make run-length data storehouse, wherein replaces stroke that is older, that more infrequently use with newer route as required.Therefore, the behavior of advancing recently of device/user is reflected in run-length data storehouse all the time.

The end segments of each route in run-length data storehouse is associated with from the favorite in favorite database.To understand, user can stop/stop in the some diverse location places around special favorite, and therefore, different end segments can be directed into same favorite.

Create run-length data storehouse in a preferred embodiment and be stored on device.But, be susceptible to, run-length data storehouse can be created and be stored on the server that is associated with the identifier of device (or specific user of device).After this in a kind of embodiment, device will represent that it navigation network can be sent to server at the position data (such as, from the latitude and longitude coordinates being printed on time stamp that GPS device receives) of movement in time.

Relevant traffic algorithm

A function of device provides relevant individual transport information to user.

It is known that show all Current traffic events to user in a certain region, described traffic events is superimposed upon in the expression of numerical map.It is also known that (such as) in traffic bar to " being correlated with " traffic that driver notifies in previous calculated route.

Transport information is received by device, such as, and the HDT feeding connected via GPRS.About base map and the not only receiving traffic information about learning network.Transport information can comprise the information about the traffic jam/delay caused by accident, road closed, road construction, Lane Closed etc.

Three groups of traffic events can be confirmed as having the degree of correlation with user, and it can show to user in blocking list.The part of blocking list preferably shows with driving view simultaneously in short blocking list.Each traffic events in blocking list is shown together with at least one in following each: the icon of road name or number, the direction (north, south, east or west) of traffic events, the type of traffic events, the delay caused by traffic events to the Distance geometry of traffic events.In use, repeatedly switch between the delay that the entry of traffic events can be caused by event at the Distance geometry being shown to event.

● probability blocks: these are the traffic events be present in learning network.Through identifying that the degree of correlation of traffic events is based at least one in following each: to the distance of traffic events, the delay that caused by traffic events (namely, seriousness), the trend of traffic events (namely, whether the delay caused by event increases and/or reduces) and prediction duration (that is, to traffic events by the prediction when terminated) of traffic events.

● relevant without blocking: can to inform the user in learning network current does not have the section (be generally main roads, such as, highway, highway etc.) of any traffic events.This type of " without blocking " message is usually relevant to the main roads near current location.

● may block: these can affect the route of user but the traffic events not using learning network and determine.Determine in a case where to block: the preset distance that may be blocked in current device location is interior (namely, haversine distance is less than 50km), in the predetermined angular of blocking direction line direction before device (such as, +/-120 °) and be blocked in (such as, +/-120 °) in the predetermined sector in current device location front.

Probability blocking and relevant nothing blocking have precedence over may block in shown blocking list.Traffic events is shown until pre-determined maximum number in blocking list.Use any criterion to classify to the traffic events in blocking list as required, it comprises: based on road name and/or numbering alphabet sequence, seriousness, and the distance etc. of current location.

Destination prediction algorithm

Prediction engine is in order to predict the possible destination when user starts stroke according to learning network and favorite database.

Prediction engine uses current location, time slot and learning network to predict at least maximum probability favorite that user is just going to.Show through prediction destination/favorite to user, and request is through predicting the confirmation that destination/favorite is correct.If prediction engine fails to return results, or user think through prediction destination and/or favorite incorrect, so user can the selecting period destination/favorite of hoping or select " directly drive " simply.

Prediction engine also can return the maximum probability route waiting to advance to through predicting destination; Also user can occur even if having selected direct driving.Use in the step of hereafter discussed " route calculation " chapters and sections through prediction route.

Prediction engine uses sequencing rule (such as A* or its variant) to search for learning network to use the value at cost based on the relative degree of advancing on each section leaving node.For example, the Nodes at decision point place with two possible paths (advanced 20 times in the first path and is advanced 10 times in the second path) in learning network, adopts the probability in the first path to be 2/3 and the probability in employing the second path is 1/3.

Prediction has three components:

I () prediction engine adopts current device location and current time, and within the scope of the 250m attempting to be identified in current location and have mate with the time slot containing current time associate time slot or be adjacent to any section of learning network of the one in the time slot of the time slot containing current time.If identify this type of section any, so prediction engine carries out route search to determine maximum probability route (and therefore, maximum probability destination) to learning network from each in identification section.

(ii) if in step (i) unidentified any section, be so identified in any section within the scope of the 250m of current location when not considering time slot.Repeat the route search from each in identification section to learning network, but the wherein usual probability revised (being generally reduction) based on the difference between wanted time slot and the time slot be associated with path and be associated with potential path.

(iii) if in step (iii) unidentified any section, so check and the time slot that the section with favorite associated with it (that is, " end " section) is associated.Recommend the favorite with the be associated time slot minimum with current time slots difference, be rendered as with the average velocity of 60kph " straight line " route from current location to destination.

Step (i) and (ii) provide possible destination/favorite and route; And step (iii) only provides possible destination.

To understand, the accuracy of prediction engine improves in a case where: position and time slot are in learning network; Periodic user is advanced behavior, such as, and " travelling frequently " behavior; With the high data density in learning network.

Produce schematic road

That drives view use numerical map schematically shows to provide information to user, and it comprises: traffic events and its attribute, speed camera position, destination locations, ETA label and ETA increment label.Hereafter discuss ETA and ETA increment label in more detail.

Transport information about the traffic events in the outlet of present road and/or present road is depicted as the layer being presented at and schematically showing.Therefore, neighbouring traffic events (in learning network and outer in learning network) is informed the user.Traffic layer preferably in order to the starting point and/or terminal that inform the user blocking distance and with block the delay that is associated.

Schematically show and show the road topology of road ahead, such as, the turning in the road way outlet of present road, present road and the end in present road are until preset range in current location front.If user advances on main roads, so can use the first preset range (such as, 800m), and if user advance on secondary road, so can use the second preset range (such as, 400m).Preferably, different colours scheme is in order to the part in learning network that indicates schematic road and the part existed only on base map.

The current road be just traversed is shown as the line at the top from the proj ected bottom of display window to display window by " schematic road ", and bottom represents current device location and top represents preset range.What show along this line (project in appropriate circumstances left side or right side) is the outlet of the current road be traversed and the turning that is greater than in the present road of 45 °.

" schematic road " be from simplification map data structure produce, described reduced data structure be operationally between based on be present in numerical map can navigation network topological sum geometry and create.

Create graph data structure simplifiedly

Each section of numerical map has start node and end node; At least one in node is connected at least other section in numerical map.The example only connecting the node of two sections is because when some (such as, titles, speed restriction etc.) in the attribute of road change and are divided into two sections in described node location when same road.The example of the node of jointing and multiple section of going out is generally has one or more road exported in described node location.

At least some in section also has the associated data of the geometric configuration of instruction section; This can be the mathematical notation (such as clothoid) of geometric configuration, or section can comprise one or more intermediate node of the change that can be used for the geometric configuration indicating road.The latter is more common method, and is hereafter described method.

The object of graph data structure the roadway characteristic in vehicles front is identified as " left ", " to the right " or " going ahead " based on the comparison between the current front line direction (when traveling through current session) of the vehicles and the direct of travel of the section in vehicles front simplifiedly.In an embodiment, this is undertaken by considering angle between the main reference line of section and one or more reference line of described section." main reference line " is for connecting the straight line of current location and next node (or intermediate node)." reference line " is the straight line between a certain node (or intermediate node) and next node (or another intermediate node).

The selected ratio exported based on schematic road is positioned at position corresponding to its position in map along " schematic road ".Ratio is not linear usually, but changes according to pre-defined function.

Schematic road is along with the vehicles are before road and then constantly upgrade, and wherein when driver to exit or left to left/right/turns right, schematic road is around suitable pivot point left or right rotation.

Route calculation

Use base map to calculate the minimum cost route (normally the fastest route) of destination, but wherein use learning network to revise and cross along section the value at cost be associated.In particular, revise the value at cost of base map, make routing algorithm have a preference for formation from the section through prediction route (if can use through prediction route) of prediction engine and any section being arranged in learning network.Through predicting that the section of route is more had a preference for than the section in learning network.

Routing algorithm is through designing to consider current traffic conditions; In a preferred embodiment, the time dependence average velocity of road segments is reduced through receiving traffic information.

To understand, owing to these amendments of the section cost of base map, route should be the fastest route (given Current traffic) to destination on the route of user's preferences as calculated; But it not may be always the fastest overall route of destination.

In certain embodiments, if use as the base map the fastest determined route revised by learning network is slower (such as than the route on only base map in fact, slow 50% or any threshold level, determine as required), so can recalculate route only to reflect the fastest route on base map.

Although describe the present invention about time (that is, the fastest route) etc.; But the present invention can be applicable to other cost, such as most economical cost etc.

On driving view, show the ETA label on mainly (that is, the soonest) route to user, and show the maximal value of two ETA increment labels of alternative route.

In order to determine ETA and ETA increment label:

1. first user selects your destination; This can be from the destination of prediction engine confirmation or be only the selection of user from the position be stored in favorite database.

2. determine the main route from current location to selected destination; When available, using transport information, or just recalculating once receive transport information.

3. calculate ETA, and drive ETA label view showing main route.

4. along with user advances, at each decision point place of learning network (namely, there is the every bit of the mulitpath arriving same favorite/destination from same section wherein), use the path (on amendment base map) do not had a preference for calculate alternative route and determine ETA increment.

5. constantly receive traffic to upgrade, constantly monitor predominating path and alternative route and based on recalculating predominating path and alternative route through receiving traffic information.Owing to traffic, alternative route becomes predominating path (that is, having very fast ET), and therefore, then ETA label is applied to " newly " predominating path and ETA increment label is applied to " newly " alternative route.

To understand, although described various aspect of the present invention and embodiment heretofore, but scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific arrangements stated herein, but expands to and contain all layouts and to its amendment and change, it belongs in the scope of appended claims.

For example, although the embodiment described in aforementioned detailed description relates to GPS, it should be noted that guider can utilize the location sensing technology of any kind as substituting (or in fact as supplementing GPS) GPS.For example, guider can utilize other GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), such as european galileo system.Equally, it is not limited to satellite-based system, and can easily use ground-based beacon or device is determined that the system of other kind in its geographic position works.

One of ordinary skill in the art also will understand well, although described embodiment is implemented by means of software, some is functional, but described functional equally can only with hardware (such as, by means of one or more special IC (ASIC)) or in fact implemented by the potpourri of hardware and software.Thus, scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being only limitted to implement software.

Finally, should also be noted that, although appended claims states the particular combination of feature described herein, but scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular combination advocated in appended claims, but expand to any combination of feature or the embodiment containing and disclose herein, and no matter now whether enumerate that particular combination particularly in the dependent claims.

Claims

1. a mobile device, it comprises:

Processor, it can be coupled to run-length data storehouse communicatedly, and described run-length data library storage indicates the information of the individual road network of the user of described mobile device; And

Storer, it stores the information being indicated to the main route of destination locations and the attribute of described route,

Wherein said processor through arranging with operationally execution path attribute module RAM with the attribute of one or more alternative route He each alternative route of determining described destination locations, and shows the attribute information be associated with at least one alternative route to described destination during decision point in the position of described mobile device closest to described individual road network on the display apparatus.

2. mobile device according to claim 1, the described decision point of wherein said individual road network is the position that there is at least one alternative route from it via described individual road network to described destination locations.

3. mobile device according to claim 1 and 2, wherein said RAM is through arranging with in view of the described attribute being recalculated to the described main route of described destination through reception information.

4. mobile device according to claim 3, wherein said through reception information be through receiving traffic information with through receiving one or many person in Weather information.

5. the mobile device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said RAM is through arranging to calculate one or more alternative route described in view of described through reception information.

6. the mobile device according to arbitrary aforementioned claim, wherein said RAM is through arranging to determine the Attribute Incremental of each alternative route and to show described Attribute Incremental as described attribute information.

7. the mobile device according to arbitrary aforementioned claim, it comprises display device, and wherein said processor is through arranging with the instruction causing described display device to show the described attribute of the described main route be associated to the road segments of described main route and the described attribute information of one or more alternative route described in being associated with the road segments of one or more alternative route described corresponding lighted from described decision-making.

8. mobile device according to claim 7, when depending on claim 6, wherein said processor is through arranging to show described instruction as described Attribute Incremental.

9. the mobile device according to arbitrary aforementioned claim, wherein said RAM selects the one in described alternative route as new main route using the described Attribute Relative at described alternative route through arranging when the described attribute be associated with described current main route improves to some extent.

10. mobile device according to claim 9, wherein said RAM selects described new main route with the described Attribute Relative at described alternative route through arranging when the improvement of the described attribute be associated with described current main route is greater than predetermined nargin.

11. mobile devices according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said RAM is through arranging with the one be identified as by main route before described in described alternative route.

12. mobile devices according to claim arbitrary in claim 9 to 11, when depending on claim 8, wherein said RAM is through arranging with the described instruction of the described Attribute Incremental of the described attribute and one or more alternative route described that show described new main route.

13. mobile devices according to arbitrary aforementioned claim, wherein said attribute is Estimated Time of Arrival ETA.

14. mobile devices according to arbitrary aforementioned claim, wherein the described individual road network of user is the network of the road segments previously traveled through by described user.

15. 1 kinds of methods that route attribute information is provided, it comprises:

Access instruction is about the determined information arriving the main route of destination locations and the attribute of described main route in run-length data storehouse, and described run-length data library storage indicates the information of the individual road network of the user of mobile device;

Determine one or more alternative route of described destination locations and the attribute of each alternative route; And

The attribute information be associated with at least one alternative route to described destination is exported when decision point closest to described individual road network of the position of described mobile device.

16. methods according to claim 15, one or more alternative route wherein said is via the route of described personal network to described destination locations.

17. methods according to claim 15 or 16, it comprises:

Receiving traffic information and in view of the described described attribute recalculating described main route through reception information; And

In view of the described described attribute calculating each in one or more alternative route described through reception information.

18. methods according to claim arbitrary in claim 15 to 17, it described Attribute Relative comprising the one determined when in described alternative route improves to some extent in the described attribute be associated with described current main route and selects described alternative route as new main route.

19. methods according to claim 18, wherein when the described Attribute Relative of described alternative route is greater than predetermined nargin in the improvement of the described attribute be associated with described current main route, select described alternative route as new main route.

20. methods according to claim arbitrary in claim 15 to 19, it comprises the Attribute Incremental of the difference between described attribute and the described attribute be associated with each alternative route determined to indicate and be associated with described main route.

21. methods according to claim 20, it comprises the display described attribute of described main route and the instruction of described Attribute Incremental.

22. methods according to claim 21, wherein said Attribute Incremental is associated with the alternative route with best attributes.

23. methods according to claim arbitrary in claim 15 to 22, it comprises the instruction of described attribute of the instruction showing described main route on the display apparatus, the outlet from described main route be associated with at least one decision point described and described at least one alternative route.

24. 1 kinds of computer softwares, it can operate when being performed to cause the method for one or more processor execution according to claim arbitrary in claim 15 to 23, and described computer software is optionally stored on non-transitory computer-readable media.